HER STORY: I have always been overweight. As a child I was involved in softball, dance, and marching band, but I always ate whatever and whenever I wanted, and I was lazy at home. Eating has always been my downfall; sweets and junk food is what I ate most of the time. I was picked on horribly in elementary school. When I reached 16 years old, I joined a gym and started the no–carb diet. I lost a lot of weight, but then gained it all back a few months later. After that, I was always off and on diets, but never really lost weight.
When I was in high school, I had very low self–esteem and confidence. I settled for things, instead of aiming for the best. I dated my first boyfriend when I was 17, and we dated for two years. I was treated awful and became very depressed. It was during this time that I gained around 30 pounds and was the heaviest I had ever been.
I started dating Kevin, my now fiancé, at the age of 19. August of 2009 is when I decided I had had enough. I was tired of going to the beach wearing full body bathing suits and cover–ups. I was tired of being jealous of women with better–looking bodies than me. It was then I realized how much I was disgusted with my body and lifestyle. Family health issues were also a big motivator for me. My mom has osteoporosis and gallbladder issues, and most of my relatives have back issues (including myself). Cancer has been an issue, as well as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I also had bad skin and I suffer from psoriasis.
One day, I was in a bookstore browsing the fitness and health section and discovered Denise Austin’s Pilates book. I have always been someone who disliked exercise with a passion! But I saw that the moves in that book didn’t look very hard. Also, Denise made reading about foods interesting. The way she explains health and fitness makes it so easy for people to understand.
Denise is very motivating. She makes everything very relatable and her workouts are not hard at all. After buying a few of her books, I tried her Total Body Makeover DVD. I started doing the workouts once a day after cardio on the treadmill. I started seeing results within a few weeks. After changing my eating habits and doing Pilates for Every Body after my cardio, I lost 10 pounds in about two weeks! After that, the weight started just falling off and I started toning up.
I do not consider Denise's program a diet; it's a lifestyle change. I don’t even like to say the “diet” word anymore. I eat totally different now, but within reason — and I love the way I eat! Denise has really changed my life and my outlook on health and fitness. My family was and still is very supportive. They know how important exercising and eating right is to me. Now, my fiancé and future step–daughters eat the same way I do!
The biggest challenges were motivating myself to do cardio and not indulging on sweets and junk food. I have never liked running, but I started off on the elliptical until my fiancé bought a new treadmill. Now, I do the elliptical at the gym and run five days a week before work. I love exercising now!
Everyone compliments me on how great and in shape I look. They say I look like a totally different person and can hardly recognize me. I've never been in such great shape, nor have I ever received compliments about my body. Now, I stay active, pay attention to what goes into my body, and I take better care of myself. I have more energy and willpower than ever before. My psoriasis has improved so much since eating healthy, exercising and taking vitamins. Also, this process helped me quit smoking in January! I have so much self–esteem and confidence now that I know I can do anything!
SECRET TO SUCCESS: Dedication and understanding are the most important. If you understand what you’re doing and why, you will be the most successful. If you stay dedicated, you will see results — and that’s the key to motivation! I have lost 60 pounds and am now strength-training and toning. I have kept the weight off and have maintained my new lifestyle for over a year now. My best advice is to stay active and always change things up. Do not stick with the same routine or workout every day because then you will get bored and plateau. Keep things moving, changing, and fun! Also, understand and enjoy what you eat!
More DeniseAustin.com Success Stories:
Joy's Story: From Couch Potato to Triathlete
Cheri's Story: A Brand New Attitude.
*Weight loss varies by individual. You may not achieve these results.